Broadway Direct recently presented an afternoon with choreographers Rich & Tone Talauega, who provided the Michael Jackson movement for Broadway's MJ the Musical, which continues its hit run at the Neil Simon Theatre.
The duo taught choreography from the show to a group of theatre fans and influencers and also spoke with Playbill Director of Social Media Jeffrey Vizcaíno.
About passing on the legacy of Michael Jackson's dance style, Rich Taluega said he and his brother are grateful "to be able to hold and honor and respect with dignity, to be able to pass on knowledge that you can't read and wisdom that you can't learn, and hopefully it sticks."
In addition to the late Jackson, Rich + Tone have also provided choreography for Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake, among others.
Watch the complete interview, as well as excerpts from the dance class, in the video below.
The current Broadway cast of MJ features Matte Martinez in the title role (Roman Banks plays the part Friday and Saturday nights), Apollo Levine as Rob/Joseph Jackson, Bailey McCall as Rachel, Tavon Olds-Sample as Michael, Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. and Emjay Roa as Little Michael, Lincoln Alejandro Collier as Little Marlon, Sasha Allen as Katherine Jackson, Matthew Frederick Harris as Quincy Jones/Tito Jackson, Gabriel Ruiz as Alejandro, Antoine L. Smith as Nick/Berry Gordy, and Joey Sorge as Dave, with Lloyd A. Boyd III, Nick T. Daly, Zachary Downer, Kellie Drobnik, John Edwards, Aydin Eyikan, Chelsea Mitchell-Bonsu, Sarah Sigman, and Ryan VanDenBoom rounding out the ensemble.
Samuel L. Nelson III and Jayden K. White serve as Standby for MJ and Michael. Swings for the production include Blu Allen, Dasia Amos, Kyle DuPree, Tre Frazier, Chantelle Good, Michael Harmon, Skye Jackson-Williams, Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson, Carole Denise Jones, Tyrone Reese, Nyla Sostre, and Charles P. Way.
MJ features a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and direction and choreography by Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon.
The production also has scenic design by Derek McLane, lighting design by Natasha Katz, costume design by Paul Tazewell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, makeup design by Joe Dulude II, musical supervision by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations and arrangements by Holcenberg and Jason Michael Webb. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Rachel Hoffman and Lindsay Levine.
MJ, which began previews December 6, 2021, prior to an official opening February 1, 2022, took home four 2022 Tony Awards, including Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Sound Design of a Musical, and Best Leading Actor in a Musical for original star Myles Frost, who made history as the youngest individual actor to win that award.
The North American tour of MJ stars Jordan Markus. The West End production, at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, stars Jamaal Fields-Green, the German production at Hamburg’s Stage Theater is led by Benét Monteiro, and the Australian production at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre stars Ilario Grant. MJ will embark on international Asian and U.K. tours in 2027.
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez in MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Matte Martinez and company of MJ
Company of MJ
Matte Martinez and Bailey McCall in MJ
Company of MJ
Company of MJ
Company of MJ
Apollo Levine and Matte Martinez in MJ
Christopher Sean Cooper and Sasha Allen in MJ
